Our online medical glossary of medical terms and definitions includes definitions for terms related to treatment, and general medicine
PANGENESIS
An hypothesis advanced by Darwin in explanation of heredity.
The theory rests on the assumption, that the intact organization, in the sense of each separateatom or unit, reproduces itself, the cells throwing offminute granules called gemmules, which circulate freely throughout the system and multiply by subdivision. These gemmules collect in the reproductive organs and commodity, or in buds, so that the egg or bud contains gemmules from all parts of the parent or parents, which in developmentgiverise to cells in the offspring similar to those from which they were givenoff in the parent. The hypothesisalso assumes that these gemmules need not in all cases developinto cells, but may lie dormant, and be transmitted from generation to generationwithout producing a noticeable effect before a case of atavism occurs.
Origin: Pan- + genesis.
Source: Websters Vocabulary